Kingdom Tension Part 16
At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Tension,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.
Last week in our ‘Kingdom Tension’ series, we talked about living our lives for Jesus with purpose. This week, we’re going one step further. We’re going to talk about what it means to live in the overflow of God’s love.
Philippians 1:21-26 (NIV)
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
Paul writes in Philippians 1 that his entire life is wrapped up in Jesus. “To live is Christ,” he says. He’s torn between staying here and continuing the work God gave him, or going home to be with Jesus. But what really catches our attention is verse 26: “so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”
What a powerful picture, overflowing joy because of the presence of someone who’s filled with Jesus.
When we understand how deeply Jesus loves us, when that truth isn’t just something we know in our heads but something we experience in our hearts, it begins to overflow. His love starts to leak out into our relationships, our words, our work, and our worship. You can’t contain that kind of love: it naturally pours into the lives of others.
But let’s be honest: we’ve all had days (or seasons) where we’re running on empty. We’re trying to be kind, trying to serve, trying to keep it all together, but it feels like there’s nothing left in the tank. That’s what happens when we try to pour out love without first being filled.
That’s why 1 John 4 reminds us that love doesn’t start with us.
1 John 4:7-10 (NIV)
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
The Christian life isn’t about mustering up love on our own, it’s about staying connected to the source. When we abide in Jesus, when we spend time with Him and soak in His presence, His love naturally fills us and begins to overflow.
This weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all this and more, so be sure to join us in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and also the founder of the Online Bible Institute Network.